At the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held on Thursday, China and African countries pledged to work together to advance their respective modernization efforts. The high-level meeting on industrialization and agricultural modernization was co-chaired by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Wang Huning emphasized the importance of adhering to paths of industrialization and agricultural modernization suited to each nation’s unique conditions. “China and African countries should promote fair and equitable global governance,” Wang stated, highlighting the need for collaboration in shaping international policies.
He further expressed China’s willingness to enhance cooperation with African countries by fostering industrial growth clusters, improving connectivity, and strengthening industrial and supply chains. “China is prepared to enter into framework agreements on economic partnerships with African countries,” Wang said. “We aim to build together a model for implementing the Global Development Initiative.”
Wang also underscored China’s commitment to contributing to poverty reduction, job creation, income generation, and improving livelihoods in Africa. “China will continue to provide African countries with new energy technologies and products, support Africa’s energy transition, and enhance environmental sustainability and climate resilience,” he added.
African leaders in attendance praised the achievements of Africa-China cooperation in industrialization, agricultural modernization, and green development. They expressed optimism about exploring paths of modernization with their own national characteristics and leading the modernization process in the Global South.
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China, African countries pledge to jointly advance modernization
cgtn.com
